Little Gull

Managed to see the Little Gull at Ladyburn Lake, Druridge Country Park at my second attempt and show a comparison with BH Gull in foreground

There seemed like hundreds of hirundines feeding over the water. Have never seen as many.

American Wigeon

After seeing the early morning tweet that the bird had appeared at St. Mary's Island wetland I hot footed it out of the house and duly saw the American Wigeon.

I was then tipped off that there was a large pod of Dolphins making their way south past the island.
While I have seen the one or two Dolphins before I was taken aback by the numbers involved this
 morning. A brilliant scene.

Muggleswick

A cracking morning for a mission to see Pied Flycatcher turned out well.

As well as the target species I spotted, Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, Redstart, and Nuthatch in the woods.
Travelling onward provided good views of a pair of Dipper, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Curlew, Wheatear.

Prestwick Carr

While I stood quite still, like Ray Mears, this character came bounding up quite close, then spotted me, stopped, and didn't seem to be bothered one way or another before sloping off.

Whittle Dene Redstart

This mornings visit to Whittle Dene did not produce any Yellow Wagtail but I was not to be disappointed.
First up was a male and female Redstart.
The pics are rubbish but its my Redstart rubbish.

There were good numbers of birds about including, Tree Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 

Mistle Thrush, Wheatear, Yellow Hammer, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron and GS Woodpecker

Big Waters Garganey

Following a blank visit the previous afternoon I returned to Big Waters yesterday in an attempt to see the Gargeney pair.
The usual greeting of 'the have gone into those reeds beside the small hide' was not encouraging however I settled in.
After well over an hour and seeing Buzzards, Pochard, Sand Martin, Common Sandpiper but no Gargeney, I started to get itchy feet
I was advised to check from the small hide on my way back, which I entered and as I took a seat there were the pair right in front of me.

South Shields Wheatears

This morning I was south of the Tyne and so took the opportunity to see if the recently reported Wheatears were still at the start of the pier at South Shields. Before I reached the pier proper, I met Doug @Jarrowbirders  watching 4 Wheatears on a small bit of fenced off derelict land.

We parted company and I went a little further along the pier adjacent to where the beach ends, and I saw at least another four colourful individuals

I later heard that Doug had gone 2 or 3 miles south to Jackies beach and found a further six there

East Chevington

Thanks to Targa159, from twittersphere, who pointed me in the right direction, I was pleased to be able to see my first Great White Egret on the west shore of the North pool this morning.

I wandered down onto the beach and the waters edge provided nice views of a Great Crested Grebe and three or four Red throated Divers one of which was well on its way to summer plumage

Swallows and Sandwich Terns completed a nice group of sightings

Woodland sightings

A walk along south side of Sweethope Lough brought views of Redpoll and Chiffchaffs with Buzzards over. Later a short walk in Harwood similarly Redpoll, Chiffchaff, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, Linnet, GS Woodpecker.

Also saw a dozen Peacock butterfly